Second Eden

Most times we find our way, explore and let our fancy lead when we are traveling. However, hindsight is 20/20, and it is fun to put together a perfect visit in a place we especially like. Bled has been described as" picture-postcard perfect", and "a second Eden". by visitors and poets. If you have one day to experience this place, here is what to do:
Wait for a sunny day in October, when the leaves are starting to turn and there is little wind to ruffle the surface of the lake. No need to hurry to start too early, the town and lake of Bled are relative small, and you can easily walk it.
Start off with a visit to Bled Castle that stands above the lake on a rocky outcrop. There is a foot path up from behind St Martin's Church. This will be the most strenuous part of your day, but there are beautiful views from the top of both the lake and Mt Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak covered in snow. It will cost 9 euros to get in, but the view is worth it. There is also free Wifi up there so you can, like me, bother family members with chats and photos of "wish you were here".

Now start your walk around the lake, clockwise. This will give you the best views of St Martin's, the Castle and the church on the island from across the lake. Try to avoid feeding the swans, you will find a poster a lot later telling you that it is forbidden. The swans can get quite aggressive.
There are various restaurants in town, but I cannot recommend the food. Instead you can find a market on your path round the lake to buy items for a picnic lunch. I bought bread, brie, lemonade and a Mars bar for 2.50 euros.
Keep walking to the far end of the lake where you can rent some swan-shaped row boats for 10 euros an hour. Row out to the island and visit the church.

One hour is plenty of time to visit the island unless you want to climb the bell tower and ring the bell for good luck (this good luck will cost you 6 euros). And the island shop is a good place to use the WC (beautiful view from there), and try a piece of Slovenian "wasteful cake". I almost splurged to taste this one, just to see what 'lavish more' tastes like.
You will have to return the boat and steer clear of an unsightly Rowing Club. However, this is a good place to see the native carp and other fish in the clear waters by the shore. And since the lake is spring fed, you can watch the bubbles surface.

By now it will be afternoon and you won't be tempted to take any more pictures of the beautiful church and island reflected in the lake waters because the sun will be in your eyes. Or it would be, if not for the trees with leaves of various colors giving you shade and that warm feeling of fall all around you.
As you walk back along the opposite shore, you will pass under the castle, but you won't see it high above. Wander up to the Church of St Martin and step inside to experience the "70 Years of Peace" exhibit. The 70 lace doves in a glass case are designed to give you inner peace.

Then walk back into town by way of Simn Cafe and Bakery, for a Slovenian cream pastry called "kremna rezina", with coffee. The portion looks big, but it is mainly light fluffy cream and goes down very easily after a walk.
Anything would go down easily after this walk. I headed back to the guesthouse with a bottle of wine, to sit on the balcony where I have a great view of the castle above. As night falls the lights of the castle will come on, so be sure to be somewhere where you can see the castle at night. And you will sleep well.